U.S. patent application number 11/230210 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-22 for removable power supply for a motorized shutter assembly.
Invention is credited to James V. Miller.
Application Number | 20070065138 11/230210 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37884244 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070065138 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Miller; James V. |
March 22, 2007 |
Removable power supply for a motorized shutter assembly
Abstract
A removable power supply is provided for use with a motor of a
shutter assembly. The removable power supply may include a base
housing a battery, a shaft, and a flexible conductor coupled
between the base and the shaft. The end of the shaft opposite of
the flexible conductor has an electrical interface that is
configured to supply power to the motor. The electrical interface
is configured for removable coupling to the motor. The shaft may
comprise a plurality of telescoping sections, or may be a unitary
member. The telescoping sections may be a series of interlocking
hallow tubes. The removable power supply may supply power to the
motor, thereby allowing a shutter curtain of the assembly to be
raised or lowered. Once the shutter curtain is at the desired
position, the removable power supply may be removed from the
shutter assembly.
Inventors: |
Miller; James V.; (Itasca,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ICE MILLER LLP
ONE AMERICAN SQUARE, SUITE 3100
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46282-0200
US
|
Family ID: |
37884244 |
Appl. No.: |
11/230210 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
396/301 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B 7/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
396/301 |
International
Class: |
G03B 7/26 20060101
G03B007/26 |
Claims
1. A removable power supply for use with a motor of a shutter
assembly, the removable power supply comprising: a base; a battery
coupled to the base; a shaft coupled to the base; an electrical
interface coupled to the shaft; and a conductor coupled between the
battery and the electrical interface; wherein the electrical
interface is configured to be removably coupled to a motor of a
shutter assembly, and the battery is configured to provide power to
the motor.
2. The removable power supply of claim 1, wherein the shaft
comprises a plurality of telescoping sections.
3. The removable power supply of claim 2, wherein the plurality of
telescoping sections is a series of interlocking hallow tubes.
4. The removable power supply of claim 1, wherein the shaft is a
unitary member.
5. The removable power supply of claim 4, wherein the unitary
member is a tube.
6. The removable power supply of claim 1, wherein the battery
provides power at a voltage between about six volts and 36
volts.
7. The removable power supply of claim 1, wherein the input
electrical interface comprises a plug having a first electrical
connector and a second electrical connector.
8. The removable power supply of claim 7, wherein the plug is
cylindrical.
9. The removable power supply of claim 1, comprising a switching
circuit coupled between the battery and the electrical
interface.
10. The removable power supply of claim 1, comprising a battery
charging circuit electrically coupled the battery.
11. The removable power supply of claim 1, wherein the shaft has a
length of between about 25 centimeters and 50 centimeters.
12. The removable power supply of claim 1, wherein the shaft has a
length of between about 50 centimeters and 75 centimeters.
13. The removable power supply of claim 1, wherein the shaft has a
length greater than about 75 centimeters.
14. A removable power supply for use with a motor of a shutter
assembly, the removable power supply comprising: a base; a battery
coupled to the base; an electrical interface coupled to the shaft;
a shaft coupled to the base; a flexible conductor coupled between
the base and the shaft, wherein the flexible conductor allows the
shaft to be located a variable distance away from the base; wherein
the electrical interface is configured to be removably coupled to a
motor of a shutter assembly, and the battery is configured to
provide power to the motor.
15. The removable power supply of claim 14, comprising a second
conductor electrically coupled between the electrical interface and
the flexible conductor.
16. The removable power supply of claim 14, wherein the flexible
conductor is electrically coupled between the electrical interface
and the battery.
17. The removable power supply of claim 14, comprising a switching
circuit electrically coupled between the battery and the flexible
conductor.
18. The removable power supply of claim 14, comprising a battery
charging circuit electrically coupled the battery.
19. The removable power supply of claim 18, wherein the battery
charging circuit comprises a second electrical interface configured
for receiving power.
20. A removable power supply for use with a motor of a shutter
assembly, the removable power supply comprising: a base; a battery
coupled to the base; an electrical interface coupled to the shaft;
a shaft coupled to the base, wherein the shaft has a length greater
than about 50 centimeters; a flexible conductor coupled between the
base and the shaft, wherein the flexible conductor allows the shaft
to be located a variable distance away from the base; wherein the
electrical interface is configured to be removably coupled to a
motor of a shutter assembly, and the battery is configured to
provide power to the motor.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a shutter
assembly. In particular, the invention relates to a system and
method for providing power to a motorized shutter assembly.
[0003] 2. Background of the Invention
[0004] Shutter assemblies are frequently employed to cover an
aperture in a wall, such as for example, a window or an entryway,
and to provide security and/or protection from weather, intruders,
and the like. The shutter assembly typically includes a shutter
curtain formed from a plurality of interlocking slats. When a user
wishes to expose the wall aperture, the shutter curtain is raised
by winding the interlocking slats about a rotatable drive tube.
When a user wishes to cover the wall aperture, the shutter curtain
is lowered by rotating the drive shaft to unroll the interlocking
slats.
[0005] A number of mechanisms are available for winding and
unwinding the shutter curtain. One known type of manual shutter
assembly includes a gearing system to raise and lower the shutter
curtain. The gearing system typically includes a driving gear, such
as for example a worm gear, and a driven gear, such as for example
a spur gear. The driven gear is typically coupled to the drive tube
such that rotation of the driven gear results in a linear rotation
of the drive tube. The driving gear is adapted to receive a first
shaft of a universal joint while a second shaft of the universal
joint is adapted to be couple to a crank pole. The gear assembly
typically includes an indexing mechanism to provide a positive stop
when the shutter curtain is in a fully lowered position so that the
operator does not inadvertently roll the shutter curtain back up
again. In operation, the crank pole is used to rotate the universal
joint thereby rotating the driving gear. The rotating driving gear
rotates the driven gear which in turn rotates the drive tube
thereby raising or lowering the shutter curtain.
[0006] During the raising and lowering operations of the shutter
curtain using the above described manual shutter operator, the
articulated joints of the universal joint may be subjected to
significant pressure making them more prone to failure. The more
acute the angle of operation of the crank pole, the greater the
stress experienced at the joints. Also, often times there is a
large gear ratio between the driving gear and the driven gear
requiring the operator to rotate the crank pole numerous times to
fully raise or lower the shutter curtain. For example, a gear
assembly with an eleven-to-one gear ratio requires the operator to
rotate the crank pole eleven times in order to turn the drive tube
once. It can often be tiring and/or time consuming for a user to
raise or lower the shutter curtain on such a shutter assembly,
especially when the user is raising or lowering several such
shutter curtains. Furthermore, a user may not be able sense the
difference between the indexing mechanism's positive stop and the
torque required to raise the shutter curtain. As a result, the
shutter curtain may be inadvertently back-rolled by the user, which
may cause damage to the shutter curtain and/or its associated
hardware.
[0007] Another known type of shutter curtain implements a motor
assembly unit to rotate the crank pole, which in turn rotates the
universal joint. The rotation of the universal joint causes a
rotation of the driving gear which in turn rotates the driven gear.
The rotating driven gear rotates the drive tube to lower and/or
raise the shutter curtain. Such a motor assembly unit can be heavy
and cumbersome because it typically houses both a motor and a
battery to power the motor. A user has to support and balance the
weight of the unit, and also act as a counterbalance to the torque
produced by the motor to drive the crank pole to raise and/or lower
the shutter curtain. The use of such a motor assembly unit may also
increase the likelihood of universal joint failure.
[0008] Yet another known type of shutter curtain assembly
implements a tubular motor assembly to essentially directly rotate
the drive tube. The tubular motor assembly is typically affixed to
the shutter curtain end cap or bracket assembly. The tubular motor
is typically inserted into the drive tube of the shutter assembly,
and may include a plurality of reduction gears and a counting
mechanism to track the appropriate number of rotations necessary to
stop the shutter curtain in at the desired position. A further
known type of shutter curtain assembly incorporates a motor
assembly into an end cap of the shutter curtain assembly. In each
of these motorized shutter curtain assemblies, some form of power
is required to drive the motor. It would be desirable to provide a
motorized shutter assembly that does not require a permanent
electrical connection to provide power to the motor.
SUMMARY
[0009] A removable power supply is provided for use with a motor of
a shutter assembly. The removable power supply may include a base
housing a battery, a shaft, and a flexible conductor coupled
between the base and the shaft. The end of the shaft opposite of
the flexible conductor has an electrical interface that is
configured to supply power to the motor. The electrical interface
is configured for removable coupling to the motor.
[0010] The shaft may comprise a plurality of telescoping sections,
or may be a unitary member. The telescoping sections may be a
series of interlocking hallow tubes. The removable power supply may
supply power to the motor, thereby allowing a shutter curtain of
the assembly to be raised or lowered. Once the shutter curtain is
at the desired position, the removable power supply may be removed
from the shutter assembly.
[0011] Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the
invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the
art upon examination of the following FIGS. and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features and advantages be included within this
description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected
by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0012] The invention can be better understood with reference to the
following figures. The components in the figures are not
necessarily to scale; emphasis is instead being placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the
figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the different views.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a shutter assembly
installed over an aperture of a structure;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cutaway side view of a first illustrative
removable power supply for use with the shutter assembly of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of a second illustrative
removable power supply for use with the motor assembly of FIG.
4;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second illustrative
removable power supply of FIG. 3 being used with an illustrative
shutter assembly;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a power socket for a shutter
assembly that is configured for receiving power from a removable
power supply; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third illustrative
removable power supply being used with an illustrative shutter
assembly that includes the power socket of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first illustrative
embodiment of a shutter assembly 10 installed over an aperture 12
of a structure. The structural aperture 12 may be a door or a
window of a building or a large vessel (such as a ship or a truck),
an entrance to a loading dock, or a similar aperture. In FIG. 1,
the shutter assembly 10 is shown installed mounted to the "outside"
of a wall containing the aperture 12. In other embodiments, the
shutter assembly 10 may be mounted within the wall containing the
aperture 12, as is well known in the art. The mounting location of
the shutter assembly 10 is not critical to the invention disclosed
and claimed herein, and the mounting location shown in FIG. 1 is
merely illustrative, and is not intended to limit the claimed
invention in any way.
[0020] The shutter assembly 10 may generally include a shutter
curtain 14, a shutter housing 16, a pair of shutter guide tracks
18, a motor 72, and a roller drive tube 20. The shutter curtain 14
may consist of a plurality of interconnected slats, as is well
known in the art. The shutter housing 16 is shown as a rectangular
tube, however other shapes and styles of shutter housings are known
to those of skill in the art, and the square housing 16 is used
herein for illustrative purposes only. The invention described and
claimed herein may be used with practically any shape of shutter
housing.
[0021] The roller drive tube 20 is rotatably mounted within the
shutter housing 16. The roller drive tube 20 may include a free end
and a driven end. The free end of the roller drive tube 20 may
rotate relatively freely with respect to the housing 16. The driven
end may be subjected to a torque from the motor 72 via a system of
gears and/or other force modifiers. The motor 72 may receive power
from an electrical interface 78 via a conductor 82. The motor 72
may be a low-voltage direct current (DC) motor, a high-voltage
(greater than about 120 volts) alternating current (AC) motor, or
the like. In one preferred embodiment, the motor 72 is of the
low-voltage (less than about 36 volts) DC variety, and draws a
relatively low current of less than about 20 amperes. The
electrical interface 78 is described in more detail below.
[0022] The mounting location of the motor 72 is not critical to the
invention disclosed and claimed herein, and the mounting location
shown in FIG. 1 is merely illustrative. For other types of shutter
assemblies, the motor 72 may be mounted internally to the shutter
assembly housing 16, on an end of shutter assembly housing 16, or
on the wall where the shutter assembly housing 16 is inside the
wall or on the opposite side of the wall. The motor 72 may be
mounted in any orientation and location desired so that a
mechanical force transference mechanism (such as a shaft) is able
to be configured to transfer torque from the motor 72 to the roller
drive tube 20 of the operated shutter assembly 10.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a cutaway side view of a first embodiment of a
removable power supply 100 for use with the motor 72. The removable
power supply 100 may include a plurality of telescoping sections
102. The telescoping sections 102 may be coupled to an electrical
interface 126 at one end and to a base 104 at the opposite end. The
plurality of telescoping sections 102 may be a series of
interlocking hallow tubes that allow the electrical interface 126
to be separated a distance from the base 104. The interior of the
plurality of telescoping sections 102 may have a first conductor
110 and a second conductor 112 affixed thereto, so that power can
be conducted from the base 104 to the electrical interface 126.
[0024] The electrical interface 126 is configured to be removably
coupled to the electrical interface 78 of the shutter assembly 10.
In the illustrative embodiment of the electrical interface 126
shown in FIG. 2, a tubular removable connector is shown with a
first contact circumscribing a portion of the interface and a
second contact covering all or a portion of the end of the
interface. While the configuration of the electrical interface 126
shown in FIG. 2 is merely illustrative, this configuration is well
suited use with a removable power supply, such as a battery pack.
While in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the electrical interface
126 is configured as a plug, in other embodiments the electrical
interface 126 may take on other forms without departing from the
scope of the claimed invention.
[0025] The base 104 may include a battery charging circuit 114
electrically coupled to a battery 118, and a switching circuit 120.
The switching circuit 120 may be electrically coupled to the first
and second conductor 110 and 112. Additionally, the switching
circuit 120 may be coupled via conductors 128 and 130 to the
battery 118. The charging circuit 114 may have an electrical
interface 116 for receiving power from an external source. The
charging circuit 114 may be operative to condition the received
power and to charge the battery 118. The switching circuit 120 may
include a first switch 122 and a second switch 124.
[0026] In a first operational state, the removable power supply 100
is coupled to an external power source, and the charging circuit
114 charges the battery 118. In a second operational state, the
removable power supply 100 is removed from the external power
source, and removably coupled via the electrical interface 126 to
the electrical interface 78 of the shutter assembly 10. In the
second state, activation of the first switch 122 will provide DC
power of a first polarity to the motor 72, thereby activating the
motor 72 and lowering the shutter 14. Additionally in the second
state, activation of the second switch 124 will provide DC power of
a second polarity to the motor 72, thereby activating the motor 72
and raising the shutter 14.
[0027] The embodiment the removable power supply 100 shown in FIG.
2 and described above is merely illustrative, and is not intended
to limit the claimed invention in any way. For example, the
plurality of telescoping sections 102 can be removed so that the
electrical interface 126 is more directly coupled to the base.
Additionally, the charging circuit 114 could be external to the
removable power supply 100, thereby reducing weight. Additionally,
the battery 118 could be either a rechargeable battery pack, or a
plurality of consumer-type disposable batteries (such as those used
in portable radios and children's toys).
[0028] FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of a second embodiment of a
removable power supply 200 for use with the motor 72. The removable
power supply 200 may include a shaft 232. The shaft 232 may
comprise a plurality of telescoping sections 202, as shown in FIG.
3. The plurality of telescoping sections 202 may be a series of
interlocking hallow tubes. Alternatively, the shaft 232 could be a
unitary member, such as a tube. The shaft 232 may be coupled to an
electrical interface 226 at one end and to an electrical cord 230
at the other end. The electrical cord 230 may electrically couple
the shaft 232 to the base 104. The shaft 232 and the electrical
interface 226 may allow the electrical interface 226 to be
separated a distance from the base 104. The interior of the
plurality of shaft 232 may include conductors (not shown), so that
power can be conducted from the base 104, through the electrical
cord 230, and to the electrical interface 226.
[0029] The electrical interface 226 is configured to be removably
coupled to the electrical interface 78 of the shutter assembly 10.
In the illustrative embodiment of the electrical interface 226
shown in FIG. 3, a "cigarette lighter" style of connector, similar
to those used for automobile radar detectors and cellular telephone
chargers, is shown with a first contact 208 on the side of the
interface 226 and a second contact 206 extending from the end of
the electrical interface 226. While the configuration of the
electrical interface 226 shown in FIG. 3 is merely illustrative,
this configuration is well suited use with a removable power
supply, such as a battery pack. As shown in FIG. 3, the electrical
interface 226 may be capable of being rotated about a pivot point,
so that the angle between the electrical interface 226 and the
shaft 232 may be adjusted from less than ninety degrees to
one-hundred and eighty degrees. Changing the angle between
electrical interface 226 and the shaft 232 may provide for more
convenient use of the removable power supply 200.
[0030] The base 204 of the removable power supply 200 may include
the battery 116, and a switching circuit 120, which operate in the
same manner as in the base 104 of the removable power supply 100.
The switching circuit 120 may be electrically coupled to a first
and second conductor 210 and 212. Additionally, the switching
circuit 120 may be coupled via conductors 128 and 130 to the
battery 118. The battery 116 may have an electrical interface 216
for receiving a charging power from an external source, such as a
battery charger (not shown), as is known in the art. The switching
circuit 120 may include a first switch 122 and a second switch
124.
[0031] In a first operational state, the removable power supply 200
is coupled to an external power source, which charges the battery
118. In a second operational state, the removable power supply 200
is removed from the external power source, and removably coupled
via the electrical interface 226 to the electrical interface 78 of
the motor 72. In general, the removable power supply 200 operates
in the same manner as the removable power supply 100, as described
above.
[0032] Many configurations of the removable power supply 100 could
be implanted, and each is contemplated to be within the scope of
the invention described and claimed herein. For example, the motor
72 could be adapted to have a connecting port for a power
connection on a pole or other assembly. This pole could be coupled
to an extension cord, so that AC power can be quickly supplied to
the motor 72. This may reduce the costs of redundant power systems
and wiring, and would allow for easy attachment and operation of
the shutter from locations where permanent power connection is not
desirable or practical.
[0033] Turning to FIG. 4, an operator is shown using the removable
power supply 200 to operate a first embodiment of the shutter
assembly 10. The operator first aligns the electrical interface 226
of the removable power supply 200 with the electrical interface 78
of the motor 72. (The electrical interface 78 is not shown, but is
accessible via the port 278 in the shutter housing 16.) Then, the
operator inserts the electrical interface 226 of the removable
power supply 200 into electrical interface 78, thereby coupling the
switching circuit 120 to the motor 80. Next, the operator activates
either the first switch 122 or the second switch 124, which causes
a current flow to the motor 80. The current flow causes the motor
80 to either raise or lower the shutter curtain 14, depending on
whether the first switch 122 or the second switch 124 is activated.
Finally, when the shutter curtain 14 is in the desired position,
the operator deactivates the first switch 122 or the second switch
124 and removes the electrical interface 226 of the removable power
supply 200 from electrical interface 78.
[0034] In the embodiment of the shutter assembly 10 shown in FIG.
4, the motor 72 is located inside of the shutter housing 16. As
explained above, it is within the scope of the claimed invention to
locate the motor 72 inside the shutter housing 16, outside the
shutter housing 16, or completely separate from the shutter housing
16. The claimed invention does not require a shutter housing 16,
although in most applications the inclusion of a shutter housing 16
may be desirable.
[0035] Turning to FIG. 5, an illustrative embodiment of the
electrical interface 78 is shown as an external electrical
interface 378. The illustrative embodiment of the external
electrical interface 378 is shown as a "cigarette lighter" style of
port having a first contact circumscribing a portion of the port
and a second contact covering all or a portion of the end of the
port opposite the opening, as is well known in the art. While the
configuration of the electrical interface 378 shown in FIG. 5 is
merely illustrative, this configuration is well suited for an
embodiment using the removable power supply 200 shown in FIG. 4 or
an embodiment using the removable power supply 300 shown in FIG.
6.
[0036] The external electrical interface 378 is coupled to the
shutter housing 16 via an adjustable mounting 302. The adjustable
mounting may have a rotatable base and a pivot mount as shown, or
may be some other configuration allowing the external electrical
interface 378 to be repositioned relative to the shutter housing
16. The external electrical interface 378 may be coupled to the
shutter housing 16 by a hollow fastener 306 and a nut 304. A
conductor 382 conducts power between the external electrical
interface 378 and the motor 72.
[0037] Turning to FIG. 6, an operator is shown using a removable
power supply 300 to operate a second embodiment of the shutter
assembly 10, which is equipped with the external electrical
interface 378. The removable power supply 300 is essentially the
same as the removable power supply 200, but with a fixed-position
electrical interface 326 rather than the pivoting electrical
interface 226 found in the removable power supply 200. While the
removable power supply 300 is shown in FIG. 6, the removable power
supply 200 is also suited for use with the external electrical
interface 378.
[0038] The operator first aligns the electrical interface 326 of
the removable power supply 300 with the electrical interface 278.
Then, the operator inserts the electrical interface 326 of the
removable power supply 300 into electrical interface 378. For
certain installations where the shutter assembly 10 is in a
hard-to-reach space, it may be easier for the operator to couple
the electrical interface 326 to the electrical interface 378
because the external electrical interface 326 is straight. Once the
shutter curtain 14 is in the desired position, the removes the
electrical interface 326 of the removable power supply 300 from
electrical interface 378.
[0039] Several other configurations for the shutter assembly 10 are
also within the scope of the claimed invention. For example, in one
embodiment the battery 118 is installed in an electrical switch
housing (such as a jack box for a power outlet) and may be made to
recharge as a unit, or, alternatively, the battery 118 may be
removed from the base 104 for charging in an electrical switch
housing. In another embodiment, the batter 118 is configured for
temporary mounting in a recessed mount installation within a
wall.
[0040] While various embodiments of the invention have been
described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible
that are within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the
invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *